A consistent national gambling prevalence study is essential to track trends, evaluate policy and guide reform related to the evolving Australian gambling landscape. This study reveals more Australians are being harmed by gambling amid rising participation, which reinforces the need for a coordinated public health response.

Any policy seeking to address gambling harm must consider links between riskier gambling and mental health, financial stress and intimate partner violence. Future policy should be underpinned by and evaluated from a routine national gambling prevalence study.

Key findings

• 65% of Australian adults reported gambling at least once. Lotteries were the most common activity.
• Men were more likely than women to gamble regularly (36% vs 28%) and were also more likely to engage in riskier forms such as race and sports betting.
• 18% of the 18–24 age group who gamble regularly were at high risk of gambling harm compared to 10% of the 35–44 age group.
• 68% of high-risk gamblers experienced cognitive, behavioural or mental health conditions compared to 28% of low-risk gamblers.
• 19% of respondents whose partner gambles weekly or more experienced intimate partner violence compared to 7% of respondents whose partner had not gambled.
• 66% of high-risk gamblers experienced financial hardship (e.g. going without meals) compared to 24% of low-risk gamblers.